So many seem to be seeking vengeance or some kind of revenge today for some real or imagined wrongdoing towards themselves or others they hold dear. Many offenses are so horrendous that to forgive them seems beyond our ability. We can not fathom how to go about forgiving someone who betrayed our trust, injured or violated our child, killed our parent, shot up a school full of children….the list seems endless. Yet it is possible….perhaps not in our own power, but with the help of God, we can manage to forgive and move forward.
In Romans 12 we are told to “be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable. and perfect will of God.”
This transforming comes through spending time in prayer and seeking His guidance. Sometimes we seem to revel in our anger, holding onto it like a weapon and wielding it at the slightest provocation. Romans 12: 3 tells us to ….think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 9 Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 11 Be ….fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. 12…patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. 14 Bless them which persecute you; bless and curse not. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peacably with all men. (He knows it will not be easy). 19 avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath. For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
When the seeds of anger and bitterness rise up and are allowed to grow many are affected. If not gotten rid of, these feelings often lead to even greater acts of sin. In Ephesians 4: 31 we are advised to: Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.
Hebrews 12: 14 tells us: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 15 Looking diligently lest any man fall of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
In other words, let’s be the point where the bitterness stops and is not passed on to affect others. As many of us witnessed this week coming from some who spoke during the funeral of Senator John McCain, bitterness doesn’t stop just because someone dies…. but it could, if we refuse to pass it on.
Many of us, when growing up, memorized the words to The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6: 9-13. Often memorized words become just that to us when we recite them back….just words. Perhaps we all need to repeat this prayer daily once again while paying close attention to the words, so their meaning is not lost but fully understood. These words were spoken by Jesus himself when teaching us how to pray.
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen”
Jesus went on to say, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
I personally do not want to meet my Savior with bitterness in my heart, but knowing I did my best to offend no one or to lay blame on anyone else for any troubles or lack of happiness I faced while on this earth. God has shown me lately that I have some issues yet to be worked out….but along with this admonition, as always, He has given the answers as to where and how to start….on my knees in prayer filled with honest confession and a sincere desire to change. As I recall the hurts, the trespasses of others upon my soul, I am gently reminded again of His words: ” Vengeance is Mine.”
